White Pelican Villas taking shape at former Beachview Cottages site on SanibelWINK News Photos of the Week (3/21 – 3/27)
White Pelican Villas taking shape at former Beachview Cottages site on Sanibel Following Hurricane Ian, Tony Lapi faced a dilemma. He could either rebuild the resort in the same footprint as the 22 Beachview Cottages that were destroyed on Sanibel Island or move it farther back from the beach and construct something more resilient.
WINK News Photos of the Week (3/21 – 3/27) Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
NORTH NAPLES Man accused of stealing over $15K worth of Pokémon cards in North Naples The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of stealing over $15,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a North Naples business.
Tim Aten Knows: Costco formally files plans for second store in Collier Less than two weeks after hundreds of residents packed a neighborhood information meeting to protest conceptual plans for a second location in Collier County, Costco Wholesale Corp. submitted formal development plans earlier this month for a new store proposed on the southeast corner of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road.
FORT MYERS Vietnam Traveling Wall comes to Southwest Florida A moving tribute to Vietnam veterans arrived in Southwest Florida.
12-year-old Lee County student arrested for making bomb threats at his school A 12-year-old student from Veterans Park Academy for the Arts was arrested on Thursday for making threats involving planting bombs around the school.
Motorcyclist critically injured following SUV crash on US-41 in Lee County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV that critically injured one person on U.S. 41 in Lee County.
BOKEELIA Bokeelia home destroyed after early morning fire The Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District is on the scene of a fire that broke out at a Bokeelia home.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Breezy with a few showers Friday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a breezier Friday with a mix of sun and clouds, which may produce showers, impacting your evening plans.
ESTERO Estero Goodwill holds grand opening Lynn Watts, a longtime Goodwill shopper, found herself in the midst of the bustling scene.
SANIBEL Destroyed and distressed: properties on Sanibel facing code enforcement Sanibel, a city known for its resilience, is now facing challenges as some of its beloved landmarks remain in disrepair.
NAPLES Collier County first responders extinguish brush fire near golf course A brush fire in Collier County threatened the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples on Wednesday, but quick action from first responders helped prevent disaster.
Naples embraces new mobile gym for dogs A unique mobile gym for dogs is making waves in Naples, offering a convenient way for pets to exercise without leaving their homes.
EVERGLADES Florida sugar firms lose lawsuit; Everglades restoration moves forward The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Army Corps, marking a significant victory for Everglades restoration efforts.
Charlotte County school start times may shift with new legislation A new bill passed by the Florida Senate could shift the power to officials in Charlotte County and elsewhere to decide school start times.
White Pelican Villas taking shape at former Beachview Cottages site on Sanibel Following Hurricane Ian, Tony Lapi faced a dilemma. He could either rebuild the resort in the same footprint as the 22 Beachview Cottages that were destroyed on Sanibel Island or move it farther back from the beach and construct something more resilient.
WINK News Photos of the Week (3/21 – 3/27) Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
NORTH NAPLES Man accused of stealing over $15K worth of Pokémon cards in North Naples The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of stealing over $15,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a North Naples business.
Tim Aten Knows: Costco formally files plans for second store in Collier Less than two weeks after hundreds of residents packed a neighborhood information meeting to protest conceptual plans for a second location in Collier County, Costco Wholesale Corp. submitted formal development plans earlier this month for a new store proposed on the southeast corner of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road.
FORT MYERS Vietnam Traveling Wall comes to Southwest Florida A moving tribute to Vietnam veterans arrived in Southwest Florida.
12-year-old Lee County student arrested for making bomb threats at his school A 12-year-old student from Veterans Park Academy for the Arts was arrested on Thursday for making threats involving planting bombs around the school.
Motorcyclist critically injured following SUV crash on US-41 in Lee County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV that critically injured one person on U.S. 41 in Lee County.
BOKEELIA Bokeelia home destroyed after early morning fire The Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District is on the scene of a fire that broke out at a Bokeelia home.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Breezy with a few showers Friday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a breezier Friday with a mix of sun and clouds, which may produce showers, impacting your evening plans.
ESTERO Estero Goodwill holds grand opening Lynn Watts, a longtime Goodwill shopper, found herself in the midst of the bustling scene.
SANIBEL Destroyed and distressed: properties on Sanibel facing code enforcement Sanibel, a city known for its resilience, is now facing challenges as some of its beloved landmarks remain in disrepair.
NAPLES Collier County first responders extinguish brush fire near golf course A brush fire in Collier County threatened the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples on Wednesday, but quick action from first responders helped prevent disaster.
Naples embraces new mobile gym for dogs A unique mobile gym for dogs is making waves in Naples, offering a convenient way for pets to exercise without leaving their homes.
EVERGLADES Florida sugar firms lose lawsuit; Everglades restoration moves forward The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Army Corps, marking a significant victory for Everglades restoration efforts.
Charlotte County school start times may shift with new legislation A new bill passed by the Florida Senate could shift the power to officials in Charlotte County and elsewhere to decide school start times.
Credit: WINK News A new piece of legislation, the Tristin Murphy Act, is gaining traction as it moves closer to becoming law. Named after a Charlotte County man who took his own life while in prison, the act aims to provide necessary support for individuals with mental health issues, potentially diverting them from incarceration. RELATED: The ‘Tristin Murphy Act’ aims to address mental illness in inmates Cindee Murphy, whose son Tristin Murphy died in prison after being off his medication for a week, shared her heartache and her determination to fight for change. “I’m going to say it because it hasn’t been said yet,” said Murphy. “But my son, Tristin, after being found guilty of littering and being sentenced to prison, lasted 63 days in the Department of Corrections before he killed himself with a chainsaw. It was horrific, and it’s something that his son, Cody, and we’ll have to live with.” Murphy had also been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The Tristin Murphy Act, also known as Senate Bill 168, seeks to address what many see as a broken system. It provides a structured approach to offering resources and alternatives to incarceration for those with mental health issues. “It’s just a broken system, and this provides a road map,” said Jennifer, a senator supporting the bill. “It provides off-ramps. It provides resources instead of incarceration for the mentally ill who find themselves in the criminal justice world.” RELATED: The blurry line between being a criminal and needing mental health help RELATED: A mother’s fight for justice for the mentally ill Murphy expressed her gratitude in Tallahassee for the recognition of her son. “I am really so thankful and grateful that you all have recognized Tristin in this way,” said Murphy. “To me, it’s a big apology that things should have been different.” Tristin Murphy’s crime was littering, an act that led to his imprisonment after he drove his truck into a pond in front of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell played a crucial role in drafting the Tristin Murphy Act. “There are individuals that still fall through the cracks,” said Sheriff Prummell. “Tristin Murphy was one of them, and he fell through the cracks in my county, something that could have been interpreted as a potential cry for help was treated as a crime. This bill is going to save lives.” The bill proposes several measures, including a mental health screening within 24 hours to determine if treatment is more appropriate than jail. It also sets requirements for inmate work assignments and programs following a mental health evaluation, expands training for 911 operators and EMS crews and creates diversion programs for felony offenders with mental health concerns. “If a lot of the provisions in this bill had been in place, he clearly should have been diverted out of the criminal justice system at several different points,” said Murphy. The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice has approved the bill, which means it now moves to appropriations. The Florida Sheriff’s Association has given its endorsement to the Tristin Murphy Act. If the bill becomes law, it will take effect Oct. 1, 2025.